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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

The C-seal: A Biofragmentable Drain Protecting the Stapled Colorectal Anastomosis from Leakage
Published on: November 4, 2010
[Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery]
M Stumpf1, K Junge, M Wendlandt
1Chirurgische Universitätsklinik, RWTH Aachen, Aachen. mstumpf@ukaachen.de
Background:
Despite improved surgical techniques, anastomotic leakage is still a serious complication in colorectal surgery, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. This study was initiated to investigate those clinical risk factors which may influence the onset of anastomotic wound-healing complications.
Methods:
The postoperative courses were assessed in 400 consecutive patients who underwent colonic or rectal resection. Possible clinical risk factors were investigated by unvariate and multivariate analysis.
Results:
23 patients developed an anastomotic leakage (5.8 %). 10 patients could be treated conservatively, 13 had a second operation. In the multivariate analysis significant risk factors were perioperative radiotherapy (OR = 3.76 [95 % CI 1.03-13.7]), blood transfusion (OR = 2.98 [95 % CI 1.18-7.54]), alcohol consumption (OR = 2.94 [95 % CI 1.06-8.17]), and steroid medication (OR = 3.91 [95 % CI 1.17-13.07]).
Conclusion:
The clinically most important risk factors for leakage were radiotherapy and blood transfusion. Further analyses with a focus on the extracellular matrix, including other clinical factors may be valuable in identifying targets for improvement.
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